Saturday, January 5, 2008

Here's my story: My friend Sarah recommended tea tree oil to another friend who had a really bad blemish. The morning after she put the oil on the blemish it had improved 100%. Well, a week later I have a killer breakout, none of my products are doing anything. Out of desparation I have even tried putting Neosporin on my blemishes. Then I remembered tea tree oil. I used it for two days morning and night after my regular skincare routine and my blemishes are gone!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

I'm loving Polyvore! I was thinking that I was going to catalogue my clothes and style them. I might still do that, but Polyvore has made it super easty to put together "looks" and connect them onto your facebook. I am going to try to find items that I already have or something similar to what I own so you can see diffent combinations of things. Later I'll post pics of the actual outfit.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

This mascara has multiple personalities and performs well only when it is somewhat dried out. My first tube was already partially dried out when I first opened it, hence my 5-star review (see below). However, my next 2 tubes have been much moister, and due to the moistness, the fibers won't attach to my lashes. So, I have to wait a couple of months for the tubes to dry out before I can get the amazing lash lengthening I was hoping to get right away. 5 stars? No way. It's 5 star only when it works, which apparently isn't all the time.5-star review, but only when the tube is a bit dried out:As I write this, I have a few lashes that have been lengthened a full 5 mm. Yes, it is that good.WHAT IT IS: Basically, it's a "tube" type of mascara with very fine long fibers that somehow attach just right to your lashes to create really incredible lengthening.MY LASHES: long, medium-coarse, stick-straight Asian lashes of average thickness that are easily weighed downBEST FOR: those who are looking for serious length, and maybe a small amount of thickening.BEST WAY TO APPLY: The best way to get a non-clumpy, falsie look is to apply only from the glob of mascara at the end of the wand, rather than sweeping it on using the bristles. The glob seems to have the most fibers. I love to watch the glob deliver those tiny fibers and transform my lashes before my eyes. But, you have to patient, since you're basically applying to only a few lashes at a time. However, if you take the time to do this and also apply only to the tips, you'll see the best results. Also, do not allow it to dry between application attempts. Like all "tube" mascaras, a coat applied over a dry coat will cause clumping. Also, be warned that normal application techniques (where you sweep the bristles along the length of your lashes) gives less length. Normal application will give you more of a thickening effect that tends to clump and look very "'Tammy Faye."PROS: With proper application, you really can lengthen your lashes by 40% or more. When a fiber hits just right, you can almost double your lash length! Also, since this is a "tube" type of mascara, it lasts and lasts and does not smudge, EVER. After a 30-hour travel day followed by 12 hours in high heat and humidity my lashes look exactly the way they did when I first applied. Best of all, it washes off easily with warm water, much like Kiss Me. Just apply very warm water, gently press, and the tubes fall off.CONS: Fiberwig will clump your lashes together if you are not careful. It also tends to weigh lashes down, unless you apply it to the tips only. Finally, this product does not "age" well. It seems to dry out quickly. I've had my tube for 2 months and it is noticeably drier than it was when I got it, even with proper closure and storage. The problem this creates is that the glob at the end of the wand is getting smaller and smaller, and drier and drier, and it's therefore harder to get good lengthening. Note though, that I've had similar problems with other fiber mascaras.OVERALL: A real winner. The first winner I've used after 25 years of trying different mascaras.

I have always hated liquid foundation as they tended to either dry my skin out too much or made it oily with breakouts and slipped off. I didn't really use liquid regularly because of those reasons and I didn't like the feeling that I had makeup caked on my face. Two and a half years ago I decided to try BE Minerals because I really needed to wear a foundation to even out my skintone. I was happy to find BE at Sephora where I could try it on. Well I ended up buying the Light Starter Kit I ended up loving this product because I never felt like I had any makeup on my face and looked so natural. I use #1.2 Fairly Light in the Winter and early Spring. I also use the #1.2 as a concealer to reduce redness and dark circles before I put on the #2. I like the #2 Light as an all over color. In the months when I am tan I add a little Warmth Minerals to adjust the color to make it a little darker. I am terrible at removing my makeup and fall asleep in this stuff constantly, and NO BREAKOUTS, even my hormornal breakouts have been reduced!!! Looks great and natural on my skin as it does not dry it out, and reduces the oiliness and lasts a long time. The kit comes with a Kabuki brush that is great for heavy coverage, a Concealer Brush, and a Flawless face brush that I use with the All Over Face colors Bare Radiance, Warmth, and Faux Tan. I personally like the Soft Focus Face brush that came in the Beyond the Basics Kit for everyday application.

For a couple of months now I have been using the Bare Escentuals Prime Time Foundation Primer because I needed something for the Summertime when it is really humid out. From the Sephora Website "Developed to combat flaky dryness, rough patches, fine lines, excess oil, enlarged pores, and uneven texture, this mineral-infused, satin-finish formula glides on seamlessly with no tacky feel to provide a skin-smoothing complexion prior to bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation application." I have to say that it did smooth out my skin before putting on the Mineral Foundation, and it did help the minerals from creasing in my skin. I also like that it helps the Minerals last longer on my face so that I can put it on in the morning and not have to reapply if I have to go out at night. I like the airbrushed effect this gave my face better than the Mineral Veil the BE also sells. The key to using this product is to put it on after moisturizing your skin and to let is "set" on your skin for a couple of minutes before applying your foundation.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Monday, September 24, 2007

The Bag: YSL Oversized Muse, 2 lbs. Empty What's Inside1. LV Pouchette: Yeah, I know I carry a purse with in a purse, but this bag was made to go inside of another bag, not to carry around by itself.2. Cashmere Cardigan: I get cold year round, especially in the Summer when everyone has the air conditioning cranked up.3. Makeup Bag4. Misc Bag: Yeah this one is going to be hard to explain...5. Phone

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Fall is here and I am so excited because not only is lipstick back, red lipstick is back and has a stronger presence than ever. There are few things that are as glamourous as red lipstick. Nothing like red lipstick and a pair of high heels to boost your confidence!

For daytime looks go with something a little more sheer. Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. It has universally been hailed as the perfect color for every skin tone. If you have a cool or neutral skin tone try Ruby Melt if you can find it as Clinique doesn't make this color anymore. These colors may look scary coming out of the tube but they go on really sheer.

For a little more kick during the day try Lancome Juicy Tubes in Cherry Burst or for something less expensive try L'Oreal Color Juice. They are super shiny and stay on for a while considering they are lip glosses. I like to put my glosses on with a lip brush. That way you don't get a goopy mess all over your mouth.

My favorite look is for the evening. I love love love, my Hourglass Lipstick in ICON it makes my teeth look whiter, my face brighter, and I feel confident while I have it on. You just have to experiment at Sephora or a make-up counter until you have found the right color. I wouldn't recommend buying without trying on. Also, the formulas for designer lipsticks are better than drugstore lipstick. They are less likely to bleed and they last longer without drying out your lips. Brands to try Chanel Rouge Hydrabase and Estee Lauder All Day Lipstick .

A few tricks:1. If you wear red you must wear lip liner. No not that kind of lipliner. A couple of years ago, lipliner got a bad rap with people wearing a dark liner/light lipstick. But, Revlon Colorstay Lipliner makes a clear lipliner that is invisible and keeps your lipstick from bleeding.2. Use a Lip Brush. You have so much more control of where your color goes and you end up using less product.3. Blot your lipstick and reapply.4. So your lipstick doesn't get on your teeth, stick a finger in your mouth, create an "O" around it and pull your finger out.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Johnson's Baby Baby Oil Gel, Aloe Vera & Vitamin E I am really bad about moisturizing in general but my body especially. Just use either in the shower or after your shower. All the neglect goes away in a flash you'll see what I mean. The gel formula is great for application because it isn't messy like the liquid formulation. I cannot say enough good things about this product.

Baby Shampoo is a gentle and effective product for cleaning makeup brushes. You only need the smallest amount to remove oil and residue from your brushes. After rinsing really well, shape the bristles, and airdry upright.

So a lot of people ask me about how I keep my hair healthy. Honestly as badly as I take of myself in other ways, my hair is what I am the most vain about and I am religious about the upkeep.

How I do this is by:

Only wash it 2-3x/week. Yeah I know that sounds gross but the natural oils are key to having healthy hair. On the days you don't wash it just rinse it with water when you are in the shower.1. I use Redken Extreme Shampoo, I have been using this since I was a baby back in the days when it was called Amino Pon. Even though I don't have damaged hair, it has tons of lipids and proteins to keep it strong.2. I also use Redken Extreme Conditioneror1. When I feel like my hair is dry I use Redken All Soft Shampoo2. On the days I use All Soft Shampoo it tends to weigh my hair down so I use Redken Body Full Conditioner, it is completely weightless and helps to detangle my hair.

If your hair gets greasy between washings use Bumble and bumble. Hair Powder You MUST still shower and wash your body while you use this product. Buy the white powder formula as the colored formulas are messy and get all over everything.

Treatments1. Redken Extreme CAT or Redken All Soft Addictive Hair Transformer (looks like this might be discontinued :( These products are to be used sparingly every 5 washes or so. After shampooing, squeeze out extra water, let set 3-5 min, rinse out, condition as normal.2. Redken Extreme Anti-Snap I use this everytime after my shower to fill in any weak spots my hair may have.3. Redken All Soft Heavy Cream 1x/month, After I shampoo, rinse, and squeeze out excess wather, I put this in my hair and wrap it up in a plastic bag and wrap my towel around that. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse out.

I never towel dry my hair by rubbing it. All I do is wrap it up in a towel and go about my routine until it is time to leave the house and unwrap it.

BTW I have used the excuse that "I have to wash my hair tonight" to get out of a date before.